New flower pots will soon be appearing along Market Street in downtown Mount Carmel thanks in part to funding approved Monday by the Wabash County Board.
Commissioners voted to provide $1,500 from the county's Tourism Fund to assist Market Street MTC with replacing flower pots located at the intersections of Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets along Market Street.
Speaking to commissioners, Market Street MTC spokesman Terry Beckerman said the organization has selected cast concrete planters that should provide a long-term solution after previous containers required replacement.
Beckerman said the group consulted with officials in Vincennes, where similar planters have been in use for more than a decade without significant issues.
The new planters weigh approximately 575 pounds each, making them less susceptible to being tipped over or damaged. Beckerman said they are also larger than the current containers and should provide a more visible display of flowers and landscaping.
Market Street MTC plans to purchase nine planters instead of the original eight, with the additional planter being placed near Merchants Park.
Beckerman also praised the community volunteers who have stepped up to help maintain the downtown beautification effort. He said volunteers have adopted individual corners to assist with watering and upkeep of the flower displays.
In addition, Market Street MTC recently completed another downtown improvement project by repainting six permanent benches along Market Street. Beckerman noted the benches had not been painted in more than 15 years and the work was completed with the help of local volunteers.
Commissioners approved the tourism funding request unanimously.
During a recent appearance on WSJD, Market Street MTC spokesperson Coleman Stevenson said the existing planters have served the community well for many years but are nearing the end of their useful life.
The organization’s Beautification Committee is now working to acquire new cast-concrete planters that will be larger, more durable, and better suited to the appearance of downtown Market Street. The new planters will stand approximately 32 inches tall and measure 36 inches across the top.
Committee members say the concrete planters feature a hexagon design and are similar to those that have been used successfully for decades along Main Street in Vincennes. The planters are being purchased from a company in Washington, Indiana, and will be picked up in Vincennes.
Stevenson said community support for the project has already been strong. Volunteers have stepped forward to adopt all of the planned flower containers and assist with watering duties. In fact, organizers report they have additional volunteers waiting to help, prompting discussions about adding even more planters in other locations.
Once filled with soil and flowers, each planter is expected to weigh around 700 pounds, making them much less susceptible to being moved or damaged.
Market Street MTC officials say they are excited about the project and believe the new planters will provide a lasting enhancement to the downtown district for years to come.